Port Tampa Bay Lands Another Cruise Ship

Port Tampa Bay got another cruise vessel for the upcoming winter season. The newest cruise ship to call Tampa home is ms Oosterdam.

Holland America's Oosterdam was part of a $300 million brand enhancement initiative by Holland America, a subsidiary of Carnival Corporation. The ship has undergone a slew of renovations, including new lounging, dining and entertainment venues and refreshed suites. The 82,000-ton ms Oosterdam replaces the smaller ship ms Ryndam, which had cruised from Tampa for several years.

The MS Oosterdam can carry up to 1,964 passengers and a crew of 812.

The new Holland America cruise will depart from Tampa on Friday for the first time. The ship will offer a variety of cruise options, from seven-day, 14-day and 21-day itineraries to the western and southern Caribbean.

"We are extremely happy to welcome the beautiful MS Oosterdam into Port Tampa Bay, which has long been a home port to this fantastic cruise line," said Paul Anderson, port president and CEO, in a statement.

"For nearly 35 years, we have enjoyed a stellar relationship with Holland America Line, and it is gratifying to us that our cruise partners continue to show faith and enthusiasm in the strength our market. We look forward to many more years of sailings."

In April, Port Tampa Bay announced that a new Carnival Cruise Line ship, Carnival Pride, would begin to set sail from Tampa. The 2,124-passenger Carnival Pride will offer a series of five- to 14-day trips from Tampa in January and February of next year to destinations such as Cozumel, Mexico; Belize City, Belize; Mahogany Bay, Isla Roatan; and George Town, Grand Cayman.